Search Here

Federal safety officials are investigating more than 1.4 million Honda and Acura vehicles after hundreds of drivers reported sudden engine failures.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) confirmed the probe in documents posted this week, saying it will look closely at the scope and seriousness of the problem.

According to CBS News, the investigation follows 414 complaints of connecting rod bearing issues, which can cause engines to seize or stop working altogether.

These complaints first came to light during a 2023 Honda recall, which involved about 250,000 vehicles over crankshaft defects.

At that time, NHTSA closed its review, saying the larger group of failures wasn't tied to the same defect covered by that recall.

Now, with reports continuing to rise, regulators are reopening the case.

"Because of the significant number of reports involving Honda and Acura vehicles, NHTSA is opening a new investigation to further evaluate the scope and severity of the potential problem and to fully assess the potential safety-related issues," the agency explained.

The current probe affects several popular models equipped with 3.5-liter V6 engines:

2016–2020 Honda Pilot
2017–2019 Honda Ridgeline
2018–2020 Honda Odyssey
2016–2020 Acura MDX
2018–2020 Acura TLX

No Crashes Yet, but Engine Failure Risks Put Honda Under Scrutiny

Altogether, the investigation covers about 1,410,806 vehicles on US roads, USA Today said

So far, there have been no reports of crashes, deaths, or injuries linked to the engine issues.

Still, the potential for engines to fail while driving raises safety concerns for millions of families who rely on these vehicles daily.

Honda has not yet issued a new recall, and no fix has been confirmed. NHTSA will now collect more data, review driver complaints, and determine whether the automaker needs to take additional action.

This isn't the first time Honda has faced scrutiny. In November 2023, the automaker issued recall 23V-751, addressing crankshaft manufacturing defects in some vehicles.

However, that recall did not cover the broader group of reports now under review.

For owners, the news is unsettling. Many of the models in question—such as the Honda Pilot and Acura MDX—are widely used as family SUVs.

A sudden engine stall could leave drivers stranded or create dangerous situations on busy highways.

Drivers can track updates on the probe at www.nhtsa.gov or contact NHTSA's hotline at 1-888-327-4236.